General Information

State:Georgia

Agency:Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency

Plan for:2017-2019

Submitted in fiscal year:2016

View grant 90IS0001-01 in the Grant Award screen.

1.1 The designated State unit (DSU) eligible to submit the State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL or the plan) and authorized under State law to perform the functions of the State under the State Independent Living Services (SILS) and Centers for Independent Living (CIL) programs.

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency

1.2 The separate State agency eligible to submit the plan and authorized under State law to provide vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to individuals who are blind.

N/A

1.3 The Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) that meets the requirements of section 705 of the Act and is authorized to perform the functions outlined in section 705(c) of the Act in the State.

Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, Inc.

1.4 The DSU and, if applicable, the separate State agency authorized to provide VR services to individuals who are blind, and the SILC are authorized to jointly develop, sign and submit this SPIL on behalf of the State, and have adopted or otherwise formally approved the SPIL.Yes

1.5 The DSU, and, if applicable, the separate State agency authorized to provide VR services to individuals who are blind, may legally carry out each provision of the plan and will comply with all applicable Federal statutes and regulations in effect with respect to the three-year period it receives funding under the SPIL.Yes

1.6 The SPIL is the basis for State operation and administration of the program. All provisions of the SPIL are consistent with State law.Yes

1.7 The representative of the DSU and, if applicable, of the separate State agency authorized to provide VR services to individuals who are blind, who has the authority under State law to receive, hold, and disburse Federal funds made available under the SPIL and to submit the SPIL jointly with the SILC chairperson is Greg Schmieg, Executive Director.

2.1 The plan shall be reviewed and revised not less than once every three years, to ensure the existence of appropriate planning, financial support and coordination, and other assistance to appropriately address, on a statewide and comprehensive basis, the needs in the State for:

• The provision of State independent living services;
• The development and support of a statewide network of centers for independent living;
• Working relationships between programs providing independent living services and independent living centers, the vocational rehabilitation program established under title I, and other programs providing services for individuals with disabilities.

Yes

2.2 The DSU and SILC conduct public meetings to provide all segments of the public, including interested groups, organizations and individuals, an opportunity to comment on the State plan prior to its submission to the Commissioner and on any revisions to the approved State plan.Yes

2.3 The DSU and SILC establish and maintain a written description of procedures for conducting public meetings in accordance with the following requirements. The DSU and SILC shall provide:

• appropriate and sufficient notice of the public meetings;
• reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities who rely on alternative modes of communication in the conduct of the public meetings, including providing sign language interpreters and audio-loops; and
• public meeting notices, written material provided prior to or at the public meetings, and the approved State plan in accessible formats for individuals who rely on alternative modes of communication.

Yes

2.4 At the public meetings to develop the State plan, the DSU and SILC identify those provisions in the SPIL that are State-imposed requirements beyond what would be required to comply with the regulations in 34 CFR parts 364, 365, 366, and 367.Yes

2.5 The DSU will seek to incorporate into, and describe in, the State plan any new methods or approaches for the provision of IL services to older individuals who are blind that are developed under a project funded under chapter 2 of title VII of the Act and that the DSU determines to be effective.Yes

2.6 The DSU and SILC actively consult, as appropriate, in the development of the State plan with the director of the Client Assistance Program (CAP) authorized under section 112 of the Act.Yes

3.1 The State, directly or through grants or contracts, will provide IL services with Federal, State, or other fundsYes

3.2 Independent living services shall be provided to individuals with significant disabilities in accordance with an independent living plan mutually agreed upon by an appropriate staff member of the service provider and the individual, unless the individual signs a waiver stating that such a plan is unnecessary.Yes

3.3 All service providers will use formats that are accessible to notify individuals seeking or receiving IL services under chapter 1 of title VII about:

• the availability of the CAP authorized by section 112 of the Act;
• the purposes of the services provided under the CAP; and
• how to contact the CAP.

Yes

3.4 Participating service providers meet all applicable State licensure or certification requirements.Yes

4.1 Any individual with a significant disability, as defined in 34 CFR 364.4(b), is eligible for IL services under the SILS and CIL programs authorized under chapter 1 of title VII of the Act. Any individual may seek information about IL services under these programs and request referral to other services and programs for individuals with significant disabilities, as appropriate. The determination of an individual’s eligibility for IL services under the SILS and CIL programs meets the requirements of 34 CFR 364.51.Yes

4.2 Service providers apply eligibility requirements without regard to age, color, creed, gender, national origin, race, religion or type of significant disability of the individual applying for IL services.Yes

4.3 Service providers do not impose any State or local residence requirement that excludes any individual who is present in the State and who is otherwise eligible for IL services from receiving IL services.Yes

5.1 Service provider staff includes personnel who are specialists in the development and provision of IL services and in the development and support of centers.Yes

5.2 To the maximum extent feasible, a service provider makes available personnel able to communicate:

• with individuals with significant disabilities who rely on alternative modes of communication, such as manual communication, nonverbal communication, nonverbal communication devices, Braille or audio tapes, and who apply for or receive IL services under title VII of the Act; and
• in the native languages of individuals with significant disabilities whose English proficiency is limited and who apply for or receive IL services under title VII of the Act.

Yes

5.3 Service providers establish and maintain a program of staff development for all classes of positions involved in providing IL services and, if appropriate, in administering the CIL program. The staff development programs emphasize improving the skills of staff directly responsible for the provision of IL services, including knowledge of and practice in the IL philosophy.Yes

5.4 All recipients of financial assistance under parts B and C of chapter 1 of title VII of the Act will take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with significant disabilities on the same terms and conditions required with respect to the employment of individuals with disabilities under section 503 of the Act.Yes

6.1 All recipients of financial assistance under parts B and C of chapter 1 of title VII of the Act will comply with applicable EDGAR fiscal and accounting requirements and will adopt those fiscal control and fund accounting procedures as may be necessary to ensure the proper disbursement of and accounting for those funds.Yes

7.1 In addition to complying with applicable EDGAR recordkeeping requirements, all recipients of financial assistance under parts B and C of chapter 1 of title VII of the Act will maintain records that fully disclose and document:

• the amount and disposition by the recipient of that financial assistance;
• The total cost of the project or undertaking in connection with which the financial assistance is given or used;
• the amount of that portion of the cost of the project or undertaking supplied by other sources;
• compliance with the requirements of chapter 1 of title VII of the Act and Part 364 of the regulations; and
• other information that the Commissioner determines to be appropriate to facilitate an effective audit.

Yes

7.2 With respect to the records that are required by 34 CFR 364.35, all recipients of financial assistance under parts B and C of chapter 1 of title VII of the Act will submit reports that the Commissioner determines to be appropriate.Yes

7.3 All recipients of financial assistance under parts B and C of chapter 1 of title VII of the Act will provide access to the Commissioner and the Comptroller General, or any of their duly authorized representatives, to the records listed in 34 CFR 364.37 for the purpose of conducting audits, examinations, and compliance reviews.Yes

8.1 Each service provider will adopt and implement policies and procedures to safeguard the confidentiality of all personal information, including photographs and lists of names in accordance with the requirements of 34 CFR 364.56(a)(1-6).Yes

As the authorized signatories, we will sign, date and retain in the files of the state agency(ies) and the Statewide Independent Living Council the Part I: Assurances, 1-8, and the separate Certification of Lobbying forms ED-80-0013 (available in MS Word and PDF formats) for the state independent living program (Part B) and the centers for independent living program (Part C).

The effective date of this SPIL is October 1, 2016.

NameSteve Oldaker

TitleGA SILC Chair

Signed?Yes

Date signed06/28/2016

NameGreg Schmieg

TitleExecutive Director

Signed?Yes

Date signed06/28/2016

Is there a Separate State Agency for Individuals Who Are Blind?No

Name

Title

Signed?No

Date signed

2.1A Check the appropriate boxes in the SPIL Instrument table indicating the types of IL services to be provided to meet the objectives identified in section 1.2 of this SPIL, and whether the services will be provided by the CILs or by the DSU (directly and/or through contract or grant).

2.1B Describe any service provision priorities, including types of services or populations, established for meeting the SPIL objectives identified in section 1.2.

All populations are underserved. However, as described in the section on underserved, the CILs will work together to improve services for those with hearing impairments.

2.1C If the State allows service providers to charge consumers for the cost of services or to consider the ability of individual consumers to pay for the cost of IL services, specify the types of IL services for which costs may be charged and for which a financial need test may be applied, and describe how the State will ensure that:

• Any consideration of financial need is applied uniformly so that all individuals who are eligible for IL services are treated equally; and
• Written policies and consumer documentation required by 34 CFR 364.59(d) will be kept by the service provider.

Indicate N/A if not applicable.

Any consideration of financial need is applied uniformly so that all individuals who are eligible for IL services are treated equally; and written policies and consumer documentation required by 34 CFR 364.59(d) will be kept by the service provider.

2.2A If the DSU will provide any of the IL services identified in section 2.1A through grants or contractual arrangements with third parties, describe such arrangements.

As shown in Financial Tables in 1.3A, the DSE provides funds for IL services, not general CIL operations. The DSE provides the IL services identified in section 2.1A through contractual arrangements with eight Georgia CILS funded by Title VII, Chapter 1, Part B, matching state funds and other federal funds that are program income from Social Security reimbursements.

The contract deliverables of IL Services include but are not limited to: (a) information and referral, (b) IL skills training, (c) peer counseling and support (d) individual and systems advocacy, (e) nursing home and youth transition, (f) custom home accessibility modifications, (g) specialized adaptive equipment purchases or repair, (h) Braille instruction and/or Orientation and (I) Mobility services.

Also contract funds may provide IL Community Services including but not limited to: (a) Community and Systems advocacy, (b) Outreach efforts, (c) Publications (d) Community Education/Integration Services, (e) Maintaining Registries/Libraries/Databases, and (f) Collaboration/Networking activities.

2.2B If the State contracts with or awards a grant to a center for the general operation of the center, describe how the State will ensure that the determination of an individual’s eligibility for services from that center shall be delegated to the center.

N/A

Provide an overview of the existing network of centers, including non-Part C-funded centers that comply with the standards and assurances in section 725 (b) and (c) of the Act, and the geographic areas and populations currently served by the centers.

Georgia has nine Title VII-Part C funded CILs. Eight CILs also receive Part B funds that include matching state funds via contracts with the DSE to provide IL services. Each CIL engages in resource development activities to enhance the services available.

Please note that the first county listed for each center is the location of the CIL office.

1. Access2Independence (A2I) is located in Columbus and serves 9 counties: Muscogee, Harris, Talbot, Taylor, Chattahoochee, Marion, Webster, Stewart and Quitman.

2. Bainbridge Advocacy Individual Network (BAIN) is located in Bainbridge and serves 11 counties in southwest Georgia: Decatur, Calhoun, Clay, Baker, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Thomas, Randolph and Seminole. The service area is home to 167,980 people in 4,385 square miles. In addition to the core services, BAIN has secured resources to provide nursing home transition services, home modification, and assistive devices. BAIN also has a grant with the Cancer Coalition of South Georgia to provide assistance with transportation, medications to manage cancer related symptoms, rent/utilities/grocery cost assistance, child care for patients to receive care, medical equipment/supplies, home accessibility or mobility support and treatment location lodging.

3.disABILITY LINK (d-LINK) is located in metro Atlanta and serves 12 counties: Fulton, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Gwinnett, Henry, Newtown, and Rockdale. The service area is home to 4.3 million people (nearly .45 of the Georgia population) in 3,687 square miles. In addition to the core services, disABILITY LINK has secured resources to provide nursing facility transition, service coordination for the Medicaid Waiver program serving people with physical disability or brain injury, Voucher Transportation Services Assistance, employment services, and Empowering Our Youth program for young adults.

4. Disability Resource Center (DRC) is located in Demorest, Georgia and serves 13 counties in northeast Georgia: Hall, Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White. The service area is home to 617,646 people in 3,392 square miles. In addition to the core services, DRC has secured resources to provide an Equipment Loan Closet, home modifications, recreational activities and nursing facility transition.

5. Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE), Inc. is located in beautiful historic Savannah and serves the following counties in Southeast Georgia: Chatham, Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Evans, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, McIntosh, Tattnall and Toombs. The service area is home to 689,496 people in 5,196 square miles. In addition to the core services, LILFE has secured resources to provide nursing facility transition, home modifications, assistive technology, and a Braille transcription service. LIFE also partners with the University of Georgia Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens to provide an accessible gardening area complete with eight raised garden beds.

6. Middle Georgia CIL, also known as Disability Connections (DC), is located in Macon and serves 12 counties in middle Georgia: Bibb, Baldwin, Crawford, Houston, Jasper, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski (note – Pulaski is served with Part B and other funds that the CIL raised through community fundraising efforts), Putnam, Twiggs and Wilkinson. The service area is home to 502,299 people in 3,915 square miles. In addition to the core services, DC has secured resources to provide Home Modifications and Assistive Technology services under the direction of two Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America (RESNA) certified Assistive Technology Practitioners. DC is one of two Assistive Technology Resource Centers housed at a CIL. In addition, DC coordinates Section 8 referrals in Bibb County to the Macon Bibb County Housing Authority for individuals with disabilities with preference given to individuals who are transitioning out of nursing or institutional facilities.

7. Multiple Choices (MC) is located in Athens, Georgia and serves 10 counties in middle and northeastern Georgia: Clarke, Barrow, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Madison, Morgan (served through funding from Part B and community fundraisers), Oconee, Oglethorpe and Walton. The service area is home to 460,189 people in 2,936 square miles. In addition to the core services, MC has secured resources to provide a microenterprise program tor people with disabilities to start their own businesses. The Center also offers Braille classes, transcription services and computer basics.

8. Northwest Georgia CIL (NWGACIL) is located in Rome and serves 15 counties in northwest Georgia: Floyd, Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Walker, Dade, Fannin, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk (note that Polk is served through Part B funds and other community fundraising activities) and Whitfield. The service area is home to 863,217 people in 5,0006 square miles. In addition to the core services, the NW GA CIL has secured resources to provide nursing facility transition, home modifications and assistive technology.

9. Walton Options for Independent Living (WOIL) is located in Augusta and serves 16 counties in east Georgia: Richmond, Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lincoln, McDuffie, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington and Wilkes. The service area is home to 502,072 people in 6,654 square miles. In addition to the core services, WOIL has secured resources that enhance the four core services to include specific training and access to technology, home modifications, blind rehabilitation services, vocational services and nursing facility transition.

In the aggregate, the CILs served an average of 2,426 people per year over the last 3 years. Of this population, .58 were people with physical disabilities, .12 were people with vision impairment; .10 with mental or emotional disabilities; .10 with multiple disabilities, .08 with cognitive disabilities; .01 with hearing disabilities and .01 other or unspecified disabilities. In terms of age, the vast majority served were adults with .53 between the ages of 25 – 59 and .40 age 60 and older. Three percent (.03) of those served were between the ages of 5 – 19 and .03 were between the ages of 20 – 24. Race/ethnicity of CIL Consumers served in FY 15 included .35 White, .61 Black, .01 Hispanic/Latino, .01 Asian and .02 Unknown.

Describe the design for the further expansion of the network, including identification of the unserved and underserved areas in the State and the order of priority for serving these areas as additional funding becomes available (beyond the required cost-of-living increase).

While the ultimate goal is to expand the IL Network to all unserved areas of the state, it is equally important to recognize that the population growth in Georgia combined with small but steady funding reductions have had an adverse impact on the possibility of expanding the Network. In light of this situation, the goal for the next three-year plan is to maintain the existing Network and to increase funding up to the recommended $200,000 minimum for each of the existing CILs serving multi-county areas. Until federal and state economies are healthier, the likelihood of expanding into unserved areas is remote.

The unserved are Georgians without access to CIL services in the South Central and the West Central counties. These two regions are the most rural in nature. The population centers for these areas include Albany, Americus, Cordele, Dublin, Griffin, LaGrange, Tifton, Valdosta, and Waycross. A minimum of $250,000 in Part C funding is required in order to start a new CIL.

Not All Georgians have the benefit of these valuable organizations. Fourteen (.14) of Georgians with disabilities are unserved – meaning they live in a county with no Center for Independent Living. The General Assembly’s investment of $750,000 would establish six (6) outreach offices so that all of our state’s citizens with disabilities have the opportunity to achieve independence. Expanding outreach and itinerant services are essential for Georgia’s current Centers for Independent Living to reach people with disabilities who live lives of isolation in our state’s poorest and most rural counties.

1. Access2Independence in Columbus – $75,000 to expand independent living services in the following five (5) counties: Crisp, Dooly, Macon, Schley and Sumter. These counties are home to about 90,000 Georgians.

2. BAIN in Bainbridge – $175,000 to expand independent living services in the following 14 counties in South Georgia: Atkinson, Berrien, Brooks, Clinch, Colquitt, Cook, Dougherty, Echols, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Terrell, Tift and Worth. These counties are home to over 400,000 Georgians.

3. Disability Connections in Macon – $150,000 to expand independent living services to 13 counties in South Central Georgia: Ben Hill, Bleckley, Coffee, Dodge, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Laurens, Montgomery, Telfair, Treulten, Turner, Wheeler and Wilcox. Over 250,000 Georgians live in these counties.

4. disABILITY LINK in Atlanta – $125,000 to expand independent living services to six (6) counties to the south of Metro Atlanta: Butts, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, and Upson. Nearly 200,000 Georgians live in these counties.

5. LIFE in Savannah – $100,0000 to expand independent living services in the following nine (9) counties in Southeast Georgia: Appling, Bacon, Brantley, Candler, Charlton, Long, Pierce, Ware and Wayne. A little over 170,000 Georgians live in these counties.

6. NW GA CIL in Rome – $125,000 to expand independent living services to three (3) counties to the Southwest of metro Atlanta: Carroll, Heard and Troup. Nearly 200,000 Georgians live in these three counties.

Independent Living Programs are administered by the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) which is administratively attached to the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS).

Should Part C dollars above COLA are less than the minimum base funding level of $200,000 to establish a new CIL, the following funding priorities will be observed:

(A) Proportionately distribute to the eight CILs serving multiple counties until they have reached the $200,000 minimum Part C recommended base funding level.

(B) In the FY 2015 congressional appropriation, (October 1, 2015 – September 30, 2016) the Access2Independence (A2I) American Recovery and Reinvestment Funds Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds will expire and A2I will start sharing in the regular Part C continuations of the other existing CILs, resulting in a proportional reduction for all nine CILs. Therefore the priority for additional Part C dollars for that year is to proportionally distribute additional available Part C funds to bring all the CILs to the $200,000 minimum Part C recommended base funding level.

(C) After restoring the funds according to (A) and (B), above, proportionately distribute additional Part C dollars to all nine CILs in an effort to redirect Part B funds to unserved counties.

2. If a minimum of $200,000 in Part C funding is available after COLA and completing Priority 1, a new CIL will be established in an unserved area with the Valdosta area being priority. After Valdosta, the following are priority areas: Dublin, Waycross, Americus and LaGrange in that order.

Please note that if a Part C grant is relinquished or terminated, these funds will be re-competed to establish a new CIL in the relinquished/closed grant’s service area. Because there are current consumers being served and community activities underway, it is most important that a CIL stay in place in the community even if a new corporate structure must be developed. Therefore, re-competing the funds in that community takes precedence over expanding to an unserved part of the state.

3.3A If the State follows an order of priorities for allocating funds among centers within a State that is different from what is outlined in 34 CFR 366.22, describe the alternate order of priority that the DSU director and the SILC chair have agreed upon. Indicate N/A if not applicable.

N/A

3.3B Describe how the State policies, practices and procedures governing the awarding of grants to centers and the oversight of these centers are consistent with 34 CFR 366.37 and 366.38.

N/A

4.1A Describe the administrative support services to be provided by the DSU for the SILS (Part B) program and, if the State is a Section 723 State, for the CIL (Part C) program.
Refer to the SPIL Instructions for additional information about administrative support services.

The DSE IL Liaison participates in IL meetings and activities, provides technical assistance, creates and renews contracts, processes invoices for payment, reviews and recommends requests for budget revisions and facilitates the approval of such requests by the DSE. Financial and technical assistance in budget development is available through the GVRA budget office.

The DSE IL Liaison contact/SILC contract manager and the GVRA budget officer perform contract services and provide administrative support services to the SILC. The DSE manages contract reviews. The Vocational Rehabilitation Program Contracts Specialists along with the DSE IL Liaison or the DSE SILC representative and a CIL director (peer reviewer) will answer the following questions: Did the contractor meet the deliverables? Were contract dollars expended for the purpose of meeting these contract deliverables? This team will use the monitoring tool designed based on the federal monitoring tool for consistency of reviews and quarterly assurance.

The DSE IL Liaison is responsible for monitoring SILC program and budget activities including reviewing monthly programmatic and expenditure reports, and participating in the quarterly evaluation of SILC/SPIL activities.

The DSE Chief of External Affairs supervises the IL Liaison who provides technical assistance to the SILC and CILs an participates in the SPIL development and submission.

4.1B Describe other DSU arrangements for the administration of the IL program, if any.

N/A

5.1A Describe the resource plan prepared by the SILC in conjunction with the DSU for the provision of resources, including staff and personnel, made available under parts B and C of chapter 1 of title VII, section 101(a)(18) of the Act, and from other public and private sources that may be necessary to carry out the functions of the SILC identified in section 705(c). The description must address the three years of this SPIL.

• Refer to the SPIL Instructions for more information about completing this section.

For more information click the icon.

SILC staff currently consists of a Chief Executive Officer, an Operations Officer at .5 FTE, Public Affairs Coordinator at .5 FTE, and an Office Assistant at .5 FTE.

The resource plan for the SILC consists of $247,000 in Title I I&E funds. With this allocation, the SILC will fund personnel needed to support relevant activities of the SPIL throughout the three-year period. Additionally, the allocation will fund general SILC administrative functions that are specifically the responsibilities of the SILC and its committees: Jointly develop the SPIL: monitor, review and evaluate the SPIL; coordinate activities with the SRC; ensure open and accessible public meetings; and submit annual reports. These funds also support the costs of the independent office space.

5.1B Describe how the following SILC resource plan requirements will be addressed.

• The SILC’s responsibility for the proper expenditure of funds and use of resources that it receives under the resource plan.

The SILC’s responsibility for the proper expenditure of funds and use of resources that it receives under the resource plan. In the early years of operation, the SILC Board developed and approved financial management policies that are consistent with state and federal requirements. Prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, the SILC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) develops a budget that the SILC Board reviews and approves. This budget is submitted along with proposed contract deliverables to the DSE; these deliverables are based on SILC responsibilities in the current SPIL and functions in 34 CFR 364.21(g). After the contract is executed, the SILC submits a monthly programmatic report and a monthly expense report to the DSE IL Liaison who reviews (a) the monthly narrative, which reports progress on SPIL goals and (b) the SILC invoice. Upon approval of the invoice, the SILC is reimbursed for the prior month expenditures toward contract deliverables. Programmatic reports are also sent to the Board on a monthly basis and an annual financial report(s) are provided at Board meetings.

In addition to these practices, the SILC contracts with a CPA firm to conduct its annual review of financial reports in accordance with state and federal requirements. Financial reports are forwarded to GVRA, the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts and to the SILC Board.

The SILC contract with the DSE requires that funds are managed in accordance with state and federal regulations. The contract also requires an annual financial review be conducted by a CPA firm which forwards this review to the DSE and the Office of Audits. In addition, the SILC has written financial policies and procedures that specify separation of duties and internal controls designed to assure appropriate use of funds.

• Non-inclusion of conditions or requirements in the SILC resource plan that may compromise the independence of the SILC.

The GVRA recognizes the SILC as an independent entity in all aspects of interaction. The contract between the SILC and the DSE focuses on SPIL activities rather than on day-to-day SILC operations which are clearly the responsibility of the SILC CEO and SILC Board Officers.

• Reliance, to the maximum extent possible, on the use of resources in existence during the period of implementation of the State plan.

Based on years of experience, the annual resource plan is a realistic but conservative budget. The SILC and the DSC have worked together to create goals and objectives that build on past successes as well as achievable and mutually beneficial goals and objectives.

Describe how the establishment and placement of the SILC ensures its independence with respect to the DSU and all other State agencies. Refer to the SPIL Instructions for more information about completing this section.

The SILC of Georgia, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency, incorporated in 1995 and housed in an independent corporate office separated from the DSE. It was established by state administrative procedure under the state corporate law to incorporate 501(c)(3) private non-profit entities. The SILC of Georgia, Inc. Board members are the same SILC members appointed by the Governor as required by 34 CFR 364.21 and described in Section 5.3 of this SPIL.

The SILC functions in accordance with its own bylaws independently of any state agency, including the DSE. The SILC works in partnership with the DSE. The current operational functions of the SILC are carried out by paid SILC CEO and staff. The SILC Board members hire and supervise the CEO who in turn hires and supervises staff.

Describe the process used by the State to appoint members to the SILC who meet the composition requirements in section 705(b). Refer to the SPIL Instructions for more information about completing this section.

The Governor makes the appointment to the SILC through Executive Orders. It is the responsibility of the SILC membership committee and the SILC CEO to secure qualified volunteers as nominees and submit them to the GVRA Executive Director to present to the Governor for consideration and appointment.

The SILC CEO collaborates with the DSE IL Liaison to develop a list of nominees from a variety of sources, including but not limited to current SILC members, CIL employees, DSE recommendations, disability specific advocacy groups, visitors to the SILC website, etc. This process results in nominees who represent a broad range of individuals with disabilities and organizations interested in individuals with disabilities.

To assure diverse membership, the SILC and DSE maintain a grid format developed by the Independent Living Research Utilization program to track type of disability, geographic area, race, gender, term limits, etc. of current SILC members. SILC bylaws require terms of office in accordance with federal rules and regulations, i.e. no member may serve more than two consecutive three-year terms.

To elect the President and the Executive Committee, the SILC membership committee produces a slate of SILC nominees for each officer position: President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. The entire Council votes on that slate to determine officers.

To enhance coordination and collaboration, the SILC of Georgia, Inc. encourages attendance by representatives of state agencies who are non-voting ex-officio members of the SILC.

Describe how the following SILC staffing requirements will be met.

• SILC supervision and evaluation, consistent with State law, of its staff and other personnel as may be necessary to carry out its functions.

Because the Georgia SILC is an independent non-profit organization, the SILC Executive Committee hires and supervises the CEO, a full-time position. The CEO then hires and supervises other SILC staff. The Board has personnel and financial policies that all SILC staff is required to observe. The SILC conducts an annual survey of stakeholders as part of the evaluation of the CEO’s job performance.

All SILC staff have job descriptions. Annually, the Executive Committee of the SILC Board conducts a performance review of the CEO by sending the evaluation form by U.S. mail to all SILC Board members, CIL directors as well as others with whom the CEO has worked on projects, committees and task forces. An anonymous return envelop is included to facilitate responses. The Executive Committee then compiles numerical scores and comments, which are anonymous, e.g. not attributed to a particular person. The CEO and the Executive Committee discuss the comments, set performance goals and place the annual evaluation in the personnel file. The CEO performs the same process for SILC staff under supervision.

The DSE’s role is to generate the annual contract to fund SILC operations and to review and approve the monthly invoices and programmatic reports. The DSC assigns these functions to the IL Liaison staff member who carries them out in conjunction with the DSE Contract Specialists and other DSE budget and finance staff. The DSE does not have any supervisory role, functions or activities regarding the SILC staff.

• Non-assignment of duties to SILC staff and other personnel made available by the DSU, or any other State agency or office, that would create a conflict of interest while assisting the SILC in carrying out its duties.

All DSE managers and staff associated with the SILC and the IL Program will become familiar with and perform functions in compliance with federal and state laws, the Code of Ethics for Government Service, Rules of the State Personnel Board and GVRA policies and procedures. Additionally, the DSE management monitors staff activities to ensure no assignment of potential conflicts of interest while assisting the SILC in carrying out its duties.

• Inclusion of personnel who are specialists in the development and provision of IL services and in the development and support of centers.

Each CIL in the Network develops position descriptions for staff providing IL services. These documents specify the skills and expectations required and are used in the hiring process as well as in performance reviews. Since the CILs recruit people with life experience in disability, specialists are on staff. (34 CFR 364.23)Method: Site reviews by DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance if needed, from either or both.

• Availability, to the maximum extent feasible, of personnel able to communicate (1) with individuals with significant disabilities who rely on alternative modes of communication, such as manual communication, nonverbal communication devices, Braille, or audio tapes and (2) in the native languages of individuals with significant disabilities whose English proficiency is limited and who apply for or receive IL services under title VII of the Act.

As per Standards and Assurances, all CILs promulgate and implement policies of equal access to information for those who require alternative formats and for consumers with limited English proficiency to the maximum extent possible and upon request. See 34 CFR 364.23.

Method: Site reviews by DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance, if needed from either or both.

• Establishment and maintenance of a program of staff development for all classes of positions involved in providing IL services and, where appropriate, in administering the CIL program, improving the skills of staff directly responsible for the provision of IL services, including knowledge of and practice in the IL philosophy.

Each CIL is responsible for staff development and training for all positions. Training needs are documented as part of the annual performance review. CILs provide staff training both in-house and through resources made available through IL Network meetings, IL Net, NCIL, APRIL, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and other relevant local, state and national organizations. See 34 CFR 364.24.

Method: Site reviews by DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance, if needed, from either or both.

• Affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with significant disabilities on the same terms and conditions required with respect to the employment of individuals with disabilities under section 503 of the Act.

All CILs have affirmative action policies and actively recruit qualified people with disabilities. See 364.31

Method: Site reviews by DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance, if needed, from either or both.

• Adoption of those fiscal control and fund accounting procedures as may be necessary to ensure the proper disbursement of and accounting for funds made available through parts B and C of chapter 1 of title VII of the Act, in addition to complying with applicable EDGAR fiscal and accounting requirements.

Each CIL in the Network is required to maintain compliance with EDGAR record-keeping requirements and with CFS 364.35. The DSE contracts require annual financial reports in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Those contracts receiving in excess of $500,000 from all federal fund sources are required to follow the OMB Circular A-133 requirements. Copies of these documents are forwarded to the DSE and to the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.

Method: Site reviews by the DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance, if needed, from either or both.

• Maintenance of records that fully disclose and document the information listed in 34 CFR 364.35.

As required in their Part C grant agreements, all CILs in the IL Network are fully aware of the necessity to employ or contract with professional accounting services in order to assure that they fully comply with these requirements. All CILs with multiple funding sources have submitted cost allocation plans to ACL.

Method: Site reviews by DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance, if needed, from either or both.

• Submission of annual performance and financial reports, and any other reports that the Secretary determines to be appropriate

As required in their Part C grant agreements, all CILs submit their annual 704 reports to ACL, the SILC, and the DSE. Additionally, all CILs prepare annual financial reports. The type of report prepared depends on the size of the CIL budget. Those with $500,000 or more in all federal fund sources are required to conduct the annual audit in accordance with the requirements set forth in OMB Circular 133. Those who do not meet that funding level, must at a minimum, submit a financial compilation report, and some are required by other fund sources to conduct an annual audit. Copies of the annual audits or financial compilation reports are sent to the DSE and to the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts.

Method: Site reviews by DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance, if needed, from either or both.

• Access to the Commissioner and the Comptroller General, or any of their duly authorized representatives, for the purpose of conducting audits, examinations, and compliance reviews, to the information listed in 34 CFR 364.37.

Each CIL in the network is required to make all records available to the Commissioner or the Comptroller General or any of their duly authorized representatives upon such request.

Method: Site reviews by DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance, if needed, from either or both.

• Eligibility of any individual with a significant disability, as defined in 34 CFR 364.4(b), for IL services under the SILS and CIL programs.

All CILs in the Network are recipients of Title VII Part C grants and as such, they take steps to meet these requirements by determining and documenting eligibility in the Consumer Service Record (CSR). Each CIL clearly articulates that they are in the business of providing services to persons with significant disabilities as evidenced by mission statements, brochures, web sites and promotional materials. All IL services in Georgia are delivered through the Network of Centers; there is no state-run IL service system nor does the state contract with other types of service providers with Title VII funds.

Method: Sit reviews by DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance, if needed, from either or both.

• Ability of any individual to seek information about IL services under these programs and to request referral to other services and programs for individuals with significant disabilities.

Each CIL in the network responds to requests for information from anyone contacting them. Referrals made to other services or programs are readily made. All CILs provide information and referral as evidenced by their annual 704 reports.

Method: Site reviews by DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance, if needed, from either or both.

• Determination of an individual’s eligibility for IL services under the SILS and CIL programs in a manner that meets the requirements of 34 CFR 364.51.

All CILs in the Network are recipients of Title VII Part C grants and meet requirements by determining and documenting eligibility in the CSR. As part of the intake phase, all consumers are informed about the Client Assistance Program (CAP).

Method: Site reviews by DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance, if needed, from either or both.

• Application of eligibility requirements without regard to age, color, creed, gender, national origin, race, religion, or type of significant disability of the individual applying for IL services.

Each CIL in the Network promulgates and implements a policy of nondiscrimination based on age, color, national origin, race, religion, or type of significant disability of the individual applying for IL services.

Method: Site reviews by DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance, if needed, from either or both.

• Non-exclusion from receiving IL services of any individual who is present in the State and who is otherwise eligible for IL services, based on the imposition of any State or local residence requirement.

None of the Georgia CILs stipulate a requirement of residency in order for an individual to receive IL services. For example, as evidenced in 704 reports, hurricane-evacuees with disabilities served by CILs in Georgia in the past.

Method: Site reviews by DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance, if needed, from either or both.

• Provision of IL services in accordance with an IL plan complying with Sec. 364.52 and mutually agreed upon by the individuals with significant disabilities and the appropriate service provider staff unless the individual signs a waiver stating that an IL plan is unnecessary.

All CILs in the Network collaborate with consumers to develop their individual IL Plans. Each plan is signed by the consumer and the collaborating CIL staff. IL Plans are periodically jointly reviewed and amended when necessary. In a few instances, consumers are not interested in a written IL Plan, so they may request that the IL Plan process be waived. The consumer and the appropriate staff person jointly sign the waiver.

Method: Site reviews by DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance, if needed, from either or both.

• Use of accessible formats to notify individuals seeking or receiving IL services under chapter 1 of title VII about the availability of the CAP program, the purposes of the services provided under the CAP, and how to contact the CAP.

Each CIL in the Network is required to inform consumers of their rights under CAP. As part of the IL Planning (or waiver) process, consumers verify that CAP information has been provided in the format requested.

Method: Site reviews by DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance, if needed, from either or both.

• Adoption and implementation of policies and procedures meeting the requirements of 34 CFR 364.56(a), to safeguard the confidentiality of all personal information, including photographs and lists of names.

Each CIL in the Network promulgates policies and procedures to safeguard the confidentiality of personal information to consumers. Consumers are informed of these practices as part of intake and IL Plan development.

Method: Site reviews by DSE, peer reviews by CILs and technical assistance, if needed, from either or both.

Identify any State-imposed requirements contained in the provisions of this SPIL.

The Governor’s Office requires that any appointee to the SILC be a resident of the State of Georgia.